Chiefs vs Crusaders Betting Tips, Preview & Odds – Crusaders to bounce back at FMG Stadium

The Chiefs are still winless in Super Rugby Aotearoa as they prepare to host the Crusaders at the FMG Stadium on Saturday. The Crusaders suffered their first loss of the campaign last week, but I’m tipping them to get back to winning ways.

The Chiefs have lost their opening six Super Rugby Aotearoa fixtures, but they have all been by reasonably narrow margins. They will feel aggrieved that they did not win their last two fixtures, as the officials made some tough calls against them.

Two weeks ago, the Chiefs collapsed against the Highlanders, allowing them to come back to win 33-31 in Hamilton, before being defeated 21-17 at the Blues last weekend.

The Chiefs will in all likelihood make a few changes to get some freshness into the starting line-up. Aaron Cruden will make his centenary appearance for the Chiefs if he plays any part on Saturday.

The Crusaders hit the ground running in Super Rugby Aotearoa with a 39-25 win over the Hurricanes. This was followed by an 18-13 home victory over the Chiefs and a 40-20 victory at the Highlanders.

In their next match, the Crusaders made it four wins from four as they took down the Blues 25-15 at home. Despite being excellent throughout the campaign so far, the Crusaders hit a speed bump and fell at home for the first time in 36 matches last weekend, going down 34-32 to the Hurricanes.

The Crusaders have a number of injury concerns with full-back David Havili and loose forward Ethan Blackadder both out for the season. The good news is that outside centre Braydon Ennor should be fit this week after missing out against the Hurricanes last weekend.

The Crusaders have a 6-1 advantage over the Chiefs in their last seven encounters. Their last meeting was in week three of Super Rugby Aotearoa, with the Crusaders winning 18-13 in Christchurch.

The Crusaders are priced at 1.33 to win, while the Chiefs are available at 3.40. A draw pays 26.00.

The handicap is set at 8 points, with the Chiefs paying 2.00 and the Crusaders 1.83. In the winning margin market, the Crusaders are priced at 2.80 to claim a victory of between 1-12 points.

The Crusaders will be far from happy at losing their hugely impressive home record last weekend - so they will want to bounce straight back. While the Chiefs have been below par so far, they do tend to raise their game when the Crusaders pop up on the fixture list, but with their confidence low, the Crusaders are too good not to back.